Take a beautiful late spring day, add lots of eager kiddos wielding fishing poles, release some hungry trout into Hatchery Creek, throw in free food, games, and prizes and that is the recipe for another successful Catch a Rainbow Kids Fishing Derby.

Last Saturday, Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery (WCNFH) hosted the 26th annual Catch a Rainbow and tied their largest attendance with 1,550 children aged 1-15 participating.

As in previous years, the nationally renowned kids’ fishing derby attracted families from across Kentucky and folks from as far away as Missouri and Florida.

“Everything went well,” said WCNFH Project Leader James Gray. “The weather was great and everything went real smooth.”

Junior anglers and their families arrived early, filling the parking areas and waiting in lengthy lines to register for a day of fishing fun.

Awaiting them in Hatchery Creek were 3,500 trout lingering in still pools just past eddies in the swift flowing water.

Kristi Pupak, environmental education/outreach specialist at the hatchery, experienced the magic of the kids’ fishing derby for the first time this year.

“I think it went extremely well,” said Pupak. “We couldn’t have asked for a better day. This event is designed to get kids outdoors and connected to fishing.”

Many young fishermen donned new Catch a Rainbow t-shirts they received free at registration and munched on hotdogs, popcorn, and cotton candy also provided free at the event.

When the kids weren’t busy luring trout onto their hooks, they could try their hand at archery sponsored by Ducks Unlimited or virtually experience cruising a lake in the boat simulator sponsored by FLW (Forrest L. Wood) and Wal-Mart.

Families waiting in line were entertained by and photographed with Ronald McDonald, Bobber the Water Safety Dog, and America’s timeless favorite, Smokey Bear.

Painted on butterflies adorned little faces that lit up with excitement when they landed a trout.

Punak delighted in the children’s achievements and anticipates future fishing derby experiences.

“I enjoyed seeing the kids’ smiling faces when they caught fish,” Punak said.

“I look forward to being a part of (Catch a Rainbow) in upcoming years.”

Children from one to four years old fished in kiddie pools and received a medallion when they caught one.

All kiddie pool anglers received a free fishing rod and reel and were entered to win a bicycle or boating life preserver.

Older youth fishermen and girls were given either a rod and reel, a tackle box, a camp chair, a sleeping bag, a lantern, or a turkey call.

Older kids were also entered to win bicycles in each age division.

In each age group from 6 to 15, anglers received a trophy for the largest fish caught.

The largest fish caught at the derby this year was reeled in by D.J. Whitt of Liberty whose fish weighted in at 8 pounds and 8 ounces in the seven to eight year old division.

Each year, more than 100 volunteers and numerous local sponsors contribute to the success of Catch a Rainbow making it a local favorite and an attraction worth traveling to attend.

“We’d like to thank all the sponsors and volunteers in the community,” said Gray. “Without them, we couldn’t have such an outstanding event presented free to the public.”